THE 2018 Lake Bolac NAIDOC week art exhibition opened on Sunday. The exhibition features the work of Aboriginal artist from Western Victoria’s Kirrae Whurrong clan Fiona Clarke, with supporting work by her daughter Tricia McKean. For more than 25 years Ms Clarke has depicted her Aboriginal culture through tapestry, painting, art and children’s literature. Most recently she was commissioned by the Warrnambool Art Gallery to produce her Seven Sisters exhibition and also had her Walkabout Wickets design used by Cricket Australia. Ms McKean has worked on a variety of projects including the documentary Yarnin. In 2016 the Richmond Football Club chose Ms McKean to design their Dreamtime jumper, worn by all players in that round. Ararat Rural City mayor Gwenda Allgood opened the exhibition on Sunday with councillors Fay Hull and Frank Deutsch for its fourth year. Cr Allgood said she was impressed with the event and congratulated the festival on winning the Reconciliation Victoria HART Community Award last month. The award, launched in 2014, recognises initiatives by local governments and community organisations advancing reconciliation in Victoria. NAIDOC week runs from July 8 to 15 to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This years theme is ‘because of her, we can’, recognising the contribution of women in Aboriginal affairs and Reconciliation.